Twelve matches in forty days is more cricket than any touring team has ever played in New Zealand. The India vs New Zealand 2026 match schedule runs from October 22 to December 1 and covers five T20Is, five ODIs, and two Tests.
Indian fans will need an alarm clock for many of these games. New Zealand fans get a packed summer. This guide lists every date, venue, and start time, and it shares what is known about the squads so far.
Tour at a Glance
New Zealand Cricket says this is the largest inbound tour by number of games in its history. It is also the first Test tour of New Zealand by India since the 2019/20 season. Only twice before has India played all three formats there, in 2008/09 and 2019/20.
The tour also marks 100 years of sporting ties between the two countries. A record 12-match series is a fitting way to celebrate that.
| Format | Matches | Dates | Cities |
| T20I | 5 | Oct 22 to Nov 1 | Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland, Hamilton |
| ODI | 5 | Nov 4 to Nov 15 | Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton, Mount Maunganui |
| Test | 2 | Nov 19 to Dec 1 | Wellington, Christchurch |
The order is worth a note. The short formats come first, and the red-ball games close the trip. That gives the Test players a few weeks to settle into local conditions.
T20I Schedule and Venues
The T20I leg is quick. Five games are squeezed into eleven days, with a new city almost every time. Every match starts at 8:00 PM local time, which is 12:30 PM in India.
| Date | Match | Venue | Local Time | IST |
| Thu, Oct 22 | 1st T20I | Hagley Oval, Christchurch | 8:00 PM | 12:30 PM |
| Sat, Oct 24 | 2nd T20I | Hagley Oval, Christchurch | 8:00 PM | 12:30 PM |
| Tue, Oct 27 | 3rd T20I | Wellington | 8:00 PM | 12:30 PM |
| Fri, Oct 30 | 4th T20I | Eden Park, Auckland | 8:00 PM | 12:30 PM |
| Sun, Nov 1 | 5th T20I | Seddon Park, Hamilton | 8:00 PM | 12:30 PM |
Christchurch hosts the first two games back to back. After that, the teams fly north through Wellington and Auckland before the finale in Hamilton.
ODI Schedule and Venues
The ODI series matters for a different reason. These five games give India a chance to test ODI plans before the 2027 World Cup. Day-night games start at 3:00 PM local time, so Indian fans can tune in at 7:30 AM.
| Date | Match | Venue | Local Time | IST |
| Wed, Nov 4 | 1st ODI | Eden Park, Auckland | 3:00 PM | 7:30 AM |
| Sat, Nov 7 | 2nd ODI | Wellington | 3:00 PM | 7:30 AM |
| Tue, Nov 10 | 3rd ODI | Seddon Park, Hamilton | 3:00 PM | 7:30 AM |
| Fri, Nov 13 | 4th ODI | Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui | 3:00 PM | 7:30 AM |
| Sun, Nov 15 | 5th ODI | Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui | 3:00 PM | 7:30 AM |
Bay Oval gets the last two games. Two matches at one ground within three days is a small quirk that could suit a side that reads the pitch quickly.
Test Schedule and Venues
Both Tests are scheduled for five days and start at 11:00 AM local time. That translates to 3:30 AM in India, so most fans will catch the second and third sessions with their morning tea.
| Dates | Match | Venue | Local Time | IST |
| Nov 19 to Nov 23 | 1st Test | Basin Reserve, Wellington | 11:00 AM | 3:30 AM |
| Nov 27 to Dec 1 | 2nd Test | Hagley Oval, Christchurch | 11:00 AM | 3:30 AM |
Wellington is famous for wind and movement off the seam. Christchurch tends to reward bowlers who hit a steady length. Both venues will test an Indian batting group that has not played Tests in New Zealand since 2019/20.
Squads Named So Far
As of October 5, 2026, only New Zealand has named a squad, and only for the T20Is. Mitchell Santner leads a 16-player group.
New Zealand T20I squad: Mitchell Santner (captain), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, and Nathan Smith.
Rachin Ravindra is out after dislocating his right shoulder. Head coach Rob Walter hopes he will be back for the ODIs. Adam Milne returns after more than a year away from the national side, and thirteen players from the T20 World Cup squad stay on.
India has not announced anything yet. Reports say the selectors will meet next week to pick squads for the full tour. For the Tests, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Mukesh Kumar, and Gurnoor Brar are all being discussed.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have retired from Tests and T20Is, but both still play ODIs. Shubman Gill captained India in the January ODI series. Whether that arrangement continues is a question the selectors have not yet answered.
What Recent Meetings Tell Us
The two teams met earlier this year, and the results were mixed. In January, New Zealand won the three-match ODI series 2 to 1. It was their first ODI series win in India.
India hit back in the T20Is and won that series 4 to 1. India then beat New Zealand in the T20 World Cup final. So the Black Caps arrive at home with fresh memories of both a famous win and a painful loss.
Looking further back, the 2019/20 tour went the other way. India won the T20Is 5 to 0, but New Zealand took the ODIs 3 to 0 and the Tests 2 to 0. Home advantage has been strong in this rivalry.
One more fact to track: 76,000 tickets had already been sold at the time the T20I squad was announced. Crowds should be big.
Dates to Circle and Time Zone Tips
Not every game carries the same weight. My own picks start with October 22, because first games set the tone for a whole series. Fans will want to see who handles the Christchurch lights better.
Next, mark November 4. The first ODI at Eden Park opens the 50-over leg, and it is the first real look at India’s ODI group since the January defeat. Then comes November 19, when the Test series begins at Wellington.
Time zones need a little planning. New Zealand is 7.5 hours ahead of India during its summer clock, so evening games at home turn into lunchtime viewing in India. That helps office workers, who can follow the T20Is on a break.
The ODIs are easier for early risers, since they begin at 7:30 AM. Test cricket is the tough one. A 3:30 AM start means most people will watch highlights, or wake up for the final session.
A simple tip: check the broadcast listing a day before each game. Some websites round start times differently, and a short delay can happen if rain or a late toss changes the plan. The India vs New Zealand 2026 match schedule is fixed, but the exact first ball can move.
Also read, India A vs New Zealand A 2026 Match Schedule and Fixtures
Key Takeaways
- Tour dates: October 22 to December 1, 2026
- Total matches: 12 (five T20Is, five ODIs, two Tests)
- Opening game: First T20I at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, on October 22
- Start times: T20Is at 12:30 PM IST, ODIs at 7:30 AM IST, Tests at 3:30 AM IST
- Final match: Second Test at Hagley Oval, ending December 1
- Squads: New Zealand T20I squad is out, and India is yet to announce
FAQs
When does the India vs New Zealand 2026 tour start?
The tour starts on October 22, 2026, with the first T20I in Christchurch.
How many matches will India play in New Zealand?
India will play twelve matches, made up of five T20Is, five ODIs, and two Tests.
Where will the Test matches be played?
The first Test is in Wellington from November 19 to 23, and the second is in Christchurch from November 27 to December 1.
What time do the matches start in India?
The T20Is start at 12:30 PM IST, the ODIs at 7:30 AM IST, and the Tests at 3:30 AM IST.
Has India announced its squad?
No, India had not named any squad for this tour as of October 5, 2026.
Conclusion
The India vs New Zealand 2026 match schedule gives fans a little of everything. There are five T20Is to open, five ODIs in the middle, and two Tests to finish. Keep the dates in your calendar, watch for India’s squad announcement, and expect a busy and close contest from start to end.
